THE CYCLE OF WOOL

The processing of sheep’s wool is a very important step. The creation of the wool thread after shearing the sheep, is a time consuming process that requires patience and perseverance.

It all starts just before the summer, around May-June, when the weather warms up and it’s time for shearing the sheep. First stop is the sheepfold. There the wool of our choice is collected while the shepherds shear the sheep. In this way both the wool is gathered for processing and the shepherds are helped as the wool is removed from the shearing area. So everybody is happy!!!

Following is the cumbersome procedure of washing the wool. The tools needed are a big cauldron, a mallet, a lot of water and… dirty clothes. The best part though is the one next. After washing the wool with hot but not boiling water, you beat it with the mallet, you wash it once more and then you beat it again. After, you rinse it in the creek or with the rubber-hose … whatever is available.

You then leave it under the sun to dry.

Following is the carding of the wool in which the fibers are separated from each other so that combing can be performed easily. This is done by a tool called the carder. During carding wool is combed and it’s fibers aligned. The processed product is called “Touloupa” and is the raw material to make the thread or felt.